Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam and Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh have welcomed the release of a white paper on health reform.
Both Mayors agree that centralising maternity services at the North West Regional Hospital is the best outcome for the Cradle Coast region in Tasmania.
“I am pleased that Health Minister Michael Ferguson has listened and taken into consideration the distances travelled by our residents,” Mayor Quilliam said.
“It is particularly important for people living in regional areas to have access to maternity services, including from places such as Marrawah, the West Coast and King Island.”
Mayor Walsh said additional funding and accommodation support put forward in the white paper should address these services no longer being offered at the Mersey Hospital.
“It is reassuring that the Mersey Community Hospital still has an important role to play in the health system.
“The approach the State Government has taken will help to ensure that our hospitals are sustainable into the future.”
Mayor Quilliam said it was pleasing to see politics taken out of such decisions.
“We are thankful that Minister Ferguson has consulted widely on these health reforms and I believe this is a good decision not only for Circular Head, but also the region.
“I am also thankful that the Smithton District Hospital will be retained.”
